Robert Bentley – the ex-Alabama governor who resigned in 2017 as part of plea deal related to campaign finance and ethics violations – isn’t ruling out a return to political life.

Speaking to WVNN about a possible run for U.S. Senate in 2020, Bentley said “doors open and doors close.”

“And you know, I never close doors completely. If the opportunity arises and things work the way they should, then we may consider it,” he said.

Meanwhile, Bentley, a dermatologist, said he’s enjoying his medical practice in Tuscaloosa.

“I love what I’m doing because I’m serving people,” Bentley said about his return to medicine. “And that’s what I did as governor. You know, I love serving the people of this state.”

Part of Bentley’s plea deal prohibited him from running for office, though questions remain over whether that’s enforceable once he met the other terms of the agreement. If he does decide to run, Bentley, 76, would join Republicans U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne and former Auburn University Coach Tommy Tuberville, as well as Democratic incumbent Sen. Doug Jones.

Bentley said he was surprised more people haven’t thrown their hat in the ring against Jones, widely seen as vulnerable in solidly Republican Alabama.

“You hear talk about someone and then that fades. Maybe that’s a little early. Maybe people realize if they out their name out there they will get … criticized and no one likes that,” Bentley said.

As for Jones, Bentley said he’s out of step with the people of Alabama.

“If you’re a Democrat, you’re a Democrat. You can’t be a conservative as a Democrat. The Democratic Party has gone so far left and so far off the rails, I don’t see how anyone can be a Democrat to tell you the truth,” he said.